Judging a History Fair Project

Mr. FerreiraHistory TeacherSt. Francis Xavier

Students start with their own questions, curiosities, connections to figure out

What happened? Why and how? What was its impact? Why is it significant?

The Judging Process

Judges typically evaluate five to ten History Fair projects.

After the projects have been evaluated, the judges will write their evaluations.

Each judge will complete and turn in a separate evaluation for each project he or she evaluated.

What you should enjoy most about the judging process?

The kids, of course! Their enthusiasm is infectious and endearing and it’s wonderful to see how interested they are in the topics and how hard they have worked on their projects. It’s great to see the quality of the projects.

Viewing all of the creative ideas the kids had with regards to creating their posters.

The vibrancy and enthusiasm of the students along with all that you were able to learn!

Meeting the students who have prepared for the fair and seeing what is taught in their classrooms.

The enthusiasm of the students and the creativity of the displays. Interacting with students and learning how a topic changed or

inspired them.

History Fair judges evaluate:

Knowledge Analysis Sources Presentation

Knowledge

How well do the students know their topic?

Context: Have the students explained what was going on in the city/country/world at the time that may have affected their topic.

Is the information accurate, relevant, and in their own words?

Is it about the past?

Analysis

Have the students stated in either their thesis or conclusion how their topic made an impact or change?

Have the students shown evidence to support their thesis and conclusion?

Is there evidence that the students provided their own interpretations of the sources they collected?

Primary Sources - Original manuscripts, contemporary records, or documents created at the time an event occurred.

Examples: Speeches Letters Photographs Interviews Diaries Broadsides Drawings Newspapers, serials

The internet CAN be a source of authentic primary sources too!

Presentation

Is information well organized and easy to follow?

Does the project attract and hold your attention?

Does the project show attention to detail in design, writing, staging?

The Interview: a chance for judges and students to connect.

Types of interview questions

How did you get interested in this subject?

Were you surprised by anything you found out?

What was your favorite part of doing this project?

Did it change any ideas you had about the topic before you began your research?

Thank You!!

I hope you enjoy judging the History Fair and meeting our student historians.